NBA: Ranking the top 9 MVP candidates at the All-Star break

NBA Golden State Warriors Kevin Durant (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
NBA Golden State Warriors Kevin Durant (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
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NBA Milwaukee Bucks
NBA Milwaukee Bucks Giannis (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)

As we approach the NBA’s All-Star break, we breakdown the top 9 candidates for the MVP race 

The NBA’s Most Valuable Player Award is one of the most popular season-long debates that heat up throughout the basketball season. This year has been no different as we see a handful of players vying for the opportunity to claim this prestigious award for their respective NBA legacies.

The Most Valuable Player is a combination of playing elite level basketball while contributing to a elite competing team. The player that is able to put up the best individual season while leading his team to the heights and possible the best record is what consistently are the main attributes for capturing an NBA Most Valuable Player award.

However, players lose support for the award if their team is not performing well in the standings, such as players like Anthony Davis and LeBron James. Or, if a player is surrounded by absurd talent. For example, players like Stephen Curry, who plays with Kevin Durant, and Paul George, who shares the floor with Russell Westbrook on a nightly basis.

Without further a due, here are the leading candidates through the all-star break for the NBA’s MVP award.